Social media has changed the way we view news, gain knowledge, sell products and even find employment. Few social media channels have had a bigger impact on how this is all done than Twitter; and now it’s finding itself to be one of the most popular sites for job hunting.
Twitter allows users to craft and post messages in 280 characters or less. These messages, or “tweets,”, are then seen by those who choose to follow that user. Additionally, “hashtags” (#) can be added to tweets to allow a tweet to show up in searches for related topics. For example, a company that is seeking to hire someone might tweet, “#NowHiring IT Director for medical facility.” By searching for the hashtag #NowHiring, job hunters would be able to view any post that includes this term.
In addition to using Twitter for job hunting, you can use it to improve your visibility as a job candidate.
When creating your Twitter account, take some time to complete every profile field. Fill in your full name and create a “Twitter handle” that closely resembles your actual name. Much like an email address, a Twitter handle is a username used to identify yourself. For instance, on the Forge Industrial Staffing account, we have our name “Forge Industrial Staffing,” as well as our Twitter handle @ForgeStaff. Be sure that you choose a professional handle and avoid unrecognizable names.
Use a professional photo for your profile image and choose an image that best represents your industry for your header image. Finally, choose industry relevant keywords in your bio to give a short description of who you are.
Remember, Twitter is a tool that when used appropriately can help you when job hunting. Once you have found a job that intrigues you, look for the best way to apply for the job. Look for a website link in the job posting or the company’s profile page and locate the full listing on their website.
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